Kinesiology Paths: Marketing and Health/Wellness Coordinator – Parks & Recreation

Landry Burback, Louisiana Tech University B.S. Kinesiology- Exercise and Health Promotion

My name is Landry Burback and I am from Stonewall, Louisiana! I am currently the Marketing & Health/Wellness Coordinator at Ruston Sports Complex and Ruston Parks and Recreation. I am a 2024 graduate of Louisiana Tech with a B.S. in Kinesiology, Exercise and Health Promotion. I am currently also a graduate student pursuing my MBA from Louisiana Tech! 

When I entered my college career, during the unprecedented time of 2020, I had just experienced having my senior year of high school cut short, and had an interesting transition into college life. Most of our classes were online or hybrid, meaning that I spent a lot of my days finding different spots on campus with my friends to get our schoolwork done and to “zoom” into our classes. It feels like just yesterday I was in a zoom waiting room waiting for Ms. Boyd’s FYE class to start! Looking back, it was a pivotal season and one that was difficult to navigate, but everyone really did their best to help it be as “normal” as possible. Transitioning to college is already hard enough, leaving your hometown, most of your friends, family, and the way of life that you have known for so long, and try adding in a pandemic! 

Entering college, I really wasn’t completely sure on what kind of career I wanted to pursue. I ran track and cross country all throughout high school along with a half marathon, so I knew I loved exercise and what it did for the body, so I decided to give kinesiology a shot! I thought that physical therapy sounded interesting to me so I kind of took that and ran with it. I observed some physical and occupational therapists and continued my kinesiology studies throughout my whole freshman year, but still felt that I was unsure if this is what I really wanted to do.  

After many talks and advice from my friends and family along with a lot of prayer and faith, I decided to see what other majors and careers had in store. This took me through my sophomore year of switching majors 3 times! Yes 3! Just to really realize how much I missed the content of Kinesiology and going right back to where I started. This time however, I changed my concentration to exercise and health promotion because I knew I still didn’t want to do PT or OT. 

Still not sure of what path God wanted me to take, this was right around the time where talk was getting around of a brand new state-of-the-art indoor sports facility opening up in Ruston. I thought to myself that this would be a neat place to work and who knows, maybe sports management and recreation could be exciting! So I landed an interview and got hired to mainly develop both the sports complex and parks and recreation’s social media, along with helping tournaments and events run smoothly and all the planning and marketing that took place within that as well. 

Outdoor and indoor photos of the 185 acre site of Ruston Sports Complex 

Long story short, I have continued my job here all throughout the rest of my college years learning all of the ins and outs of the sports business and recreational industries, with my roles and responsibilities at the facility growing more and more as time went on. I have had the opportunity to do some pretty neat things throughout the years! 

Started a youth running program in the summers 

I have created and led in this role for the past 2 summers and have loved it! Our parks and recreation organization provides so many different sports and activities for kids and adults, so I decided to add in a new program as well, RPAR on the Run! This month-long program takes place in the summer and allows youth to learn how to run long distances. I really enjoy getting to create the workout program for the kids, plan fun games, and just see them improve all throughout the program. Running, especially long distance, is a great way for all ages to set goals and show yourself what you’re made of! The kids improve all month long and have a great time making new friends, all while learning how to run! 

Started the first annual Ruston Rudolph Run 5k 

My dad has always been my biggest supporter and coach throughout my whole life! I would not be where I was today without him! 

I have always had a love for running (and Christmas of course) and was given the chance to combine those two while planning the Ruston Rudolph Run 5k! I had the privilege of getting to plan and execute all areas of the race. Our second annual RRR 5K is coming up on December 19th, so make sure you come take part in the fun! 

Started a Senior Adult Fitness Program 

This has been my most recent endeavor that has been so much fun! Starting this past summer, I noticed that there was a gap between what activities we offered for our youth and adults, and then what was available for older adults. So, the Senior Adult Fitness Program idea was born! I was able to start, plan, and lead weekly group exercise classes and other activities for those that are 60+ in the community of Ruston. It is so important for senior adults to continue to move their bodies as they grow older and face things such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and other areas of mental/physical decline. Our program works to improve all areas of the body through strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, balance, flexibility, coordination, and so much more. We also explore other activities such as pickleball, walks in the park, zumba, exercise bingo, and more! 

I got an inside look at what it was like to work with senior adults in my practicum senior year with Mrs. Szymanksi in water aerobics! She is awesome and so are all the participants! 

When I graduated college in May, I was offered a full time position as the Marketing & Health/Wellness Coordinator at the complex. Throughout the rest of my Kinesiology studies and working through college at the complex, I really fell in love with sports marketing and the business side of sports. This role has been the perfect combination of my love for exercise and recreation along with my interest in marketing and business. My job roles now consist of all the areas listed above along with working with our sponsors here at the complex. I work to get new sponsorships and our current ones to maximize their visibility and grow their commitment to the community at our facility. I also get to run all of our social media platforms along with the senior adult fitness program I started here in June! This job really is a perfect blend for my kinesiology background and what I am learning now in my MBA studies. I am able to continue learning so much while also applying my knowledge to something greater! 

Everyone’s journey and story is different, but I am here to say that it is okay to not know what you want to do when you start out! I am so thankful with how Louisiana Tech poured into me for 4 years through the Kinesiology department, my professors truly enabled me with the education and foundation to go out and be great! I am also so thankful to my director and co-workers here at the complex who have given me so much freedom to really make each endeavor what I have wanted it to be, along with teaching and still continuing to teach me along the way. I can also attest to the community, opportunities, and friendships that were made possible through my sorority in my time at tech as well, Sigma Kappa, along with all of the other organizations I was involved in on campus as well. I am a strong believer in my faith and trusting that God always has a plan that is much bigger than our own. He truly loves to work in mysterious ways! 

My family, friends, and boyfriend have always been my biggest support system! 

My boyfriend, Aaron, and I actually met our freshman year on zoom in our FYE class! We graduated together, both in Kinesiology, and will have been dating for 4 years at the end of November. 

If you’re considering Kinesiology but aren’t sure about traditional paths like PT or OT, know that this field offers so many diverse career options. Stay curious, set goals for yourself, and be open to unique opportunities—you’ll find your path.  

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to hear more about my journey or the latest at Ruston Sports Complex! 

Email: landryburback@rustonla.gov